Love’s Lift Psalm 66.8-12; 16-20; 1 Peter 3:13-16; John 14:15-21 Rev. Tiare L. Mathison, Pastor & Soul-Tender
They are still at table. He disrupts their final dinner when he washes their feet; he sends Judas off to act out betrayal; he tells Peter about his upcoming denials - 3 times before the cock crows! He lays down a new command, “that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.” He declares, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe in me. I go to prepare a place for all of you.” And then this, “When you love Me, you will keep my commandments. I’m going away, but you will not be orphaned. The 2nd Advocate will come, and dwell in you, with you, around you. I’ll be in the Father and the Father in Me and the Paraclete in you.” A Grand community. What we call the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer; Maker, Lover, Keeper. My latest favorite appellation, from Jane Kenyon, a wonderful poet. This is how she understands faith: She once was asked how her faith shaped her writing, and she said, “My spiritual life is so much a part of my intellectual life and my feeling life that it’s really become impossible for me to keep it out of my work.” It’s all a piece.
This section of John’s gospel, chapters 13-17, are called ‘The Farewell Discourse’, 4 chapters of Jesus saying goodbye to his beloved and soon to be broken-hearted disciples. If we were in an Adult Ed class together, we would read straight through, to really get the depth and beauty of Jesus’ commitment to love, His provision of love in us, via the 2nd Advocate, His abiding Presence promised and delivered for all of eternity. I recommend you take the time to do this, read chapters 13-17 in one sitting. It’s really quite powerful. Jesus, our first Advocate, reveals truth and love entwined: He feeds the hungry, touches the lepers, heals the sick, hangs out with the women, welcomes the tax collectors, challenges empire; disrupts the hierarchy when He takes off his outer robe, grabs the towel and basin and becomes servant of all. His love and compassion are designed to bring forth the value of each individual and communities. Social status means absolutely nothing to Him. He simply wants everyone everywhere to thrive. To be made whole. To be healed. To be welcomed. To be loved. To be redeemed. To live in shalom, our 2nd Eden. This kind of love we are called to demands a willful decision: we must first admit our lack of capacity to love in this way on our own. We have to humble ourselves and say, ‘help! We can’t do it alone.’ We are reminded that in our baptism we have ‘put on Christ’ second- skinned by Him, if you will. His presence is mediated to us, through us, around us, beyond us, by the Paraclete, a lovely Greek word that means ‘one who has been called to our side’. It is Her presence that makes it possible for us to act in love toward one another and all the tender souls we encounter every day of our lives.
Our conversion to love is life-long. It is an act of obedience and it takes discipline. In prayer, in attitude, by an offer of forgiveness, over and over and over again. Remember the Lord’s Prayer? ‘forgive us our what? as we do what?’ To choose love, clear, sustained actions over time, that calm the chaos, confusion and concern we carry with us every day. To scaffold our lives IN love--love that is patient, love that endures , love that protects, a full heart, outrageous, expensive, extravagant, generous love. Love’s Lift
Think about this: what are Jesus’ commandments? He was raised in the synagogue, a Jew, the 10 commandments written on scrolls, preached and prayed, burrowing into His mind and heart and life. No other gods, no idols, keep the sabbath holy, honor your mom and dad, don’t lust, steal, destroy, murder, or bear false witness. Early in His ministry He is asked, “what is the greatest commandment?” The questioner refers to the Decalogue, of course. What fascinates me is Jesus’ response: Love. Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself. Love. Clearly not romantic love, nor quid pro quo, transactional love - you do this for me/I do this for you. Rather, this love command generates what the Psalmist calls “a spacious place”. A place where God dwells, answers prayers and loves us first. This love enlarges itself as we feed, heal, touch, abide, comfort, become advocates for justice, give up our privilege and power, share and sacrifice so others may thrive. It is a transgressive love—it crosses the barriers of empire’s exclusions—the horrible injunctions of race and class and gender molded into deeply rooted patterns of bigotry and white supremacy.
Jesus’ explosive commandment blows up the narrowed strictures of a puny love, a short shrift love, a toned-down to make it palpable love. Burn it all down He says, I’ve come with the revelation of love. And of truth. This love springs forth in the power of the Holy Spirit who lays claim on our daily lives to guide us toward love for the unlovelies, those who have no one else to watch out for them. You have been given the lift of love, you know forgiveness, you know your name, Beloved. So go, offer a cup of cold water, a coat, a hand. Love’s Lift Amen.